Position 2026 Rucks

[Sherman41]

They do but some of the points are going to get redistributed so in theory with less stoppages transition players like running wings will probably score more than your traditional inside mid and some forwards scoring may go up. Rucks could potentially go down.

True, maybe HTA’s clearances etc get more scaling due to less overall stoppages/HTA’s. No one really knows until the dust settles.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

They do but some of the points are going to get redistributed so in theory with less stoppages transition players like running wings will probably score more than your traditional inside mid and some forwards scoring may go up. Rucks could potentially go down.

Wingers in general are going to get a few extra possessions a game from last touch free's. Just by being the closest to the sideline.

 

[4tune8]

Assuming rookies on average score 60 points and you get 0 points out of your ruck line

One Zero gets replaced by your “Flex” who this early in the season is essentially a rookie score.

So that leaves you with 1x score of Zero on field where another team would have their worst rookie who would count as 60.

60x2 rounds = 120 points

Then you get 4 rounds of best 18 so it doesn’t matter

If you manage to have at least one rookie ruck playing you give up less than that.

Then Best 18 for the next 4 rounds, so that wouldn’t matter. Then prices normalise and you upgrade first in rucks (or sideswap an injured premo)

Again this is a worst case scenario.

In isolation I guess that's the case, but that's not how this game works, unless I've got the wrong end of the stick.

If I have a rookie at R2, McAndrew for example, then I've saved ~ $560k over fielding Xerri. I would then use that cash to upgrade a suss bench rookie to an on field premo up to $680k in value. There's no net change in the amount of rookies or premos and therefore no loss of points.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

In isolation I guess that's the case, but that's not how this game works, unless I've got the wrong end of the stick.

If I have a rookie at R2, McAndrew for example, then I've saved ~ $560k over fielding Xerri. I would then use that cash to upgrade a suss bench rookie to an on field premo up to $680k in value. There's no net change in the amount of rookies or premos and therefore no loss of points.

Other than a rookie ruck probably scores better than your worst rookie somewhere else. But I agree in general, it's a thin argument.

 

[rocker_oz33]

Everyone is freaking out.

We will know more soon enough.
Get a smacko and chill out.

 

[4tune8]

Other than a rookie ruck probably scores better than your worst rookie somewhere else. But I agree in general, it's a thin argument.

Yeah, the assumption is equal output.

I think that there's a solid case for one or more on field ruck rookies (if they present as No.1 ruck options) I reckon there'll be a loss of value in the top price rucks, possibly up to $100k. If I insure myself against that loss by putting a rookie there in place, then that rookie should gain $150k, meaning a $250k gain from that position. Of course, there's a 60PPG loss to be factored in from non best 18 rounds and probably bugger all from best 18's.

Then there's the decision of what to do with the excess funds, a straight swap of another rookie to a premo would (should) negate the 60PPG loss ruck line, I would also lose $150k in cash gen by having one less rookie on field. If I redistribute the cash and hunt for value then I can also make cash, effectively turning a $100k loss into a potential gain of $100k.

 

[toxic]

In isolation I guess that's the case, but that's not how this game works, unless I've got the wrong end of the stick.

If I have a rookie at R2, McAndrew for example, then I've saved ~ $560k over fielding Xerri. I would then use that cash to upgrade a suss bench rookie to an on field premo up to $680k in value. There's no net change in the amount of rookies or premos and therefore no loss of points.

100% this and you get to look at which rucks can SC score well in the new game style

 

[jdstorm]

Other than a rookie ruck probably scores better than your worst rookie somewhere else. But I agree in general, it's a thin argument.

The arguement was what does a worst case scenario look like. As I believe the difference between good and bad teams is that good teams plan for their choices to fail/go badly.

We always say rookies determine structure for good reason. So it was just a thought experiment of if things went as badly as they could.

The assumption is keeping the same Premo count that you previously had and same overall on field spend Just and finding expected value out of that 1M which is about 200 points vs the 10-20% drop that may occur across the line.

Honestly mathing it out like this is making a very compelling case for dual rookie rucks.

The harder part is you have to give up cash gen on other lines to fit in the 2 extra premos

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

100% this and you get to look at which rucks can SC score well in the new game style

Which is fine until Nicks loses his nerve and brings ROB back in

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Wingers in general are going to get a few extra possessions a game from last touch free's. Just by being the closest to the sideline.

Yeah thats something I was thinking too plus winger points from handball receives and running kicks if we have more inbound from last touch frees between the arcs. Whereas if there are less stoppages then less first clearance points for inside mids.

 

[4tune8]

100% this and you get to look at which rucks can SC score well in the new game style

Yeah, this first set of praccies have thrown up some examples of what to expect. Some rucks were heavily disadvantaged at CBA's when up against a leaping ruck, Xerri and Nank and to some extent, Witts. So matchups look to be an even more important way of discerning who will score well in a particular game.

The Saints gave a good example of ruck usage with TDK taking CBA's, staying a kick behind the ball when in forward transition, leaving Roma to take ruck contests forward of centre. This also meant that it wasn't difficult for either of them to get to contests if there was a quick ball up and I can see most teams working on a variation of that to mitigate any lack of impact from not having a specialist ruck at ball ups.

The last disposal OOB free looks like it won't have much of an impact, as was expected.

 

[4tune8]

Which is fine until Nicks loses his nerve and brings ROB back in

Won't matter until round 5, maybe Draper or Bryan will be available, Blakiston should get ruck status in round 6. Reidy or Visentini could fill the hole for a couple of weeks, McAndrew might not get dropped, might just be 2nd ruck (poor scoring though).

 

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

Which is fine until Nicks loses his nerve and brings ROB back in

I would normally agree, but I really couldn't think of a worse ruck for these new rules than ROB. He can't jump or kick. I've never seen McAndrew play but surely he's gotta be a better option than ROB.

 

[Petrify]

Grundy gets around the ground well.

He'll lose value, but stabilise at a higher price than xerri and gawn I reckon.

Grundy is actually the ruck who gets the highest % of his points from stoppages according to the data I have.

Grundy and Xerri are the hardest hit rucks from the stoppage changes. Gawn close behind.

Jackson, Roma, English all roughly losing the least from the stoppage changes.

Cameron in the middle

 

[The_Steadier]

Which is fine until Nicks loses his nerve and brings ROB back in

Definately gonna happen.

Same with the tigers and dockers- even if it looks like the new rules aren't good for the likes of nank and darcy....their coaches are still going to spend all year trying to find ways to keep them in the team

 

[Petrify]

In isolation I guess that's the case, but that's not how this game works, unless I've got the wrong end of the stick.

If I have a rookie at R2, McAndrew for example, then I've saved ~ $560k over fielding Xerri. I would then use that cash to upgrade a suss bench rookie to an on field premo up to $680k in value. There's no net change in the amount of rookies or premos and therefore no loss of points.

I mean this is what I want to do but problem is who is the R3? Reidy or CDT? If Reidy plays its a pretty easy choice... but CDT is an expensive rookie for the bench with low cash gen potential

 

[A Bit Dusty]

I would normally agree, but I really couldn't think of a worse ruck for these new rules than ROB. He can't jump or kick. I've never seen McAndrew play but surely he's gotta be a better option than ROB.

McAndrew looked ok but he is very lean so the big boys will bash him up around the ground. I think he could definately be a 70+ scoring rookie though if he gets the chance.

 

[The_Steadier]

Grundy is actually the ruck who gets the highest % of his points from stoppages according to the data I have.

The point is that I think grundy can cover the ground well enough to get plenty of possessions irrespective of a drop in stoppages.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

I would normally agree, but I really couldn't think of a worse ruck for these new rules than ROB. He can't jump or kick. I've never seen McAndrew play but surely he's gotta be a better option than ROB.

 

[MrChristo]

True, maybe HTA’s clearances etc get more scaling due to less overall stoppages/HTA’s. No one really knows until the dust settles.

This is something that's been nagging in my mind...(granted, only because of about 10 minutes of watching the games over the weekend...)

Yes, some of these cheap guys can leap, and they might get their hands on the ball first, but I can see a lot of these taps getting sharked by opp mids.

So I can see the Ruck average, taken over the entire cohort will be down, but maybe inside mid numbers won't suffer as much as we think.

 

[Me Myself and I]

Which is fine until Nicks loses his nerve and brings ROB back in

If McAndrew starts can see that happening after two rounds. Especially if he gets monstered by Cameron and English.

 

[MacStradbroke]

I mean this is what I want to do but problem is who is the R3? Reidy or CDT? If Reidy plays its a pretty easy choice... but CDT is an expensive rookie for the bench with low cash gen potential

Reidy has to play doesn’t he? Pittonet cannot ruck all day and the blues don’t have a regular second ruck from previous seasons to assist do they(Silvagni did it a little maybe)?

 

[54Dogs]

Reidy has to play doesn’t he? Pittonet cannot ruck all day and the blues don’t have a regular second ruck from previous seasons to assist do they(Silvagni did it a little maybe)?

A decent chance if Reidy plays he drops in price

 

[54Dogs]

How Is McAndrews's tank? Looked gassed a few times in the match sim. Can he solo ruck all day with a Tilthorpe chop out?

 

[MacStradbroke]

A decent chance if Reidy plays he drops in price

No arguments here, moves well but did look quite shit the other night.